"The Dax Encounter"
Little dust clouds swirled at every pounding footfall that came to a slow stop and a boy of twelve shouted his frustration to the air. He stopped what seemed to be a mad dash out of the nearest dwelling that looked like a piece from a children's block game on the brown plain. The City of Thess with its colorful flags waved at a distance. Dax slowed into a walk until his breathing came back normal again but continued making his way to the forest, to his secret place where he can think and possibly see the reason why his brother had to leave him.
The Whispering Forest as the old people called it wasn't really enchanted. It housed several exquisite bird and animal species and it was eagerly tended by a ranger from the city. Dax thought maybe he can hang out with his ranger friend for most of the day and not come home until it was late. He thought it was a good plan and trudged to the direction of the ranger's house."Malcolm! You in?" Dax called out when he neared the quaint cottage. Malcolm an animated man with traces of gray hair at the temples had retired from the Queen's service as Sword of Light bearer or as the town's people say, as the Queen's bodyguard after receiving injuries that cost his arm. He had seen the new arm. It was the gift of cybernetics but Malcolm felt that it was best for him to take his leave and lead a quieter life. The one he had turned his back when he decided to be a bearer at the prime of his youth.
